Rehabilitated seals from Cornish Seal Sanctuary tracked using GPS
A GPS tagging project has given researchers an insight into the movements of rehabilitated grey seal pups. The trial study run by Dr Luis Huckstadt of the University of Exeter, in cooperation with the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, tracked the movements of 16 rehabilitated seal pups, which were released from the sanctuary in Gweek.The first pup fitted with a tag, Maggot, made an unexpected journey to Brittany, travelling more than 150 miles (241km). A second pup named Selkie, rescued from Jersey in January, was the first of the seals in the study to cross international waters by swimming up the River Somme in northern France.
Whirligig, a pup rescued from Weymouth, headed straight back to his local waters after being released.He was earlier spotted lounging on the pontoons of Brixham Harbour in the spring. Dung Beetle, a pup released in south Cornwall, headed straight for the southern coast of Ireland.Anne Van Domberg, senior animal care specialist and research coordinator at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary, said: "For the first time, we're seeing where these pups go, how quickly they settle, and where they find feeding grounds."The early data gives us valuable insight into the success of rehabilitation and the behaviour of young seals post-release."
The sanctuary said the project was made possible thanks to guests and supporters, as well as the dedication of the its animal care team, who rehabilitated more than 30 pups over the winter.Ms Van Domberg said: "We rescue seals with the aim of releasing strong, healthy animals back into the wild. "But thanks to this technology, we're finally able to follow their stories beyond the shoreline."It's amazing to see them thriving, exploring, and in some cases, travelling hundreds of miles."It's real proof that our work matters. "It's so exciting to see where they head off to and heartwarming to know that they are doing so well out there in the wild."
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How Devon and Cornwall warming seas are altering the food chain
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BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
If books could kill: The poison legacy lurking in libraries
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BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
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Leaving Cert: Teacher analyses 'well-rounded' Maths Paper One
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'While it was not without challenge, this made for a rather sound HL Maths Paper which presented a decent set of questions that harnessed an essence of fairness and accessibility, and indeed challenge. "The short questions saw the usual suspects of Algebra, Calculus, Complex Numbers and Functions, while the long questions focused on Arithmetic and Algebra, Calculus and Functions, and a considerable amount of Sequences and Series with a sneaky Induction proof to finish off the paper. Advertisement 'Overall, it was a well-rounded paper covering many main areas at LC HL. Notably, Financial Maths and Area and Volume were absent from the paper, so don't rule these out of the game in Paper 2 on Monday. Additionally, Trigonometric Functions didn't appear so glace over them this weekend 'It is important for students to remember of the advantage the choice provided by Covid amendments gives students by only having to answer 5 of the 6 and 3 of the 4 long questions and so they could have played to their strengths in this paper." LC Maths Paper 1 (Ordinary) Stephen Begley said: 'A fair paper spanning the usual suspects of Financial Maths, Complex Numbers, Algebra, Calculus, Functions, Patterns and Area. "While parts were certainly not without challenge, the short questions in Section A were quite nice and students could play to their strengths answering any 5 of the 6. Those who prepared using past papers would have benefitted from the familiarity of question styles from years gone by. Advertisement The long questions in Section B had students answer any 3 of the 4. The topics covered here were Functions, Differentiation, Financial Maths, Number Patterns, and Area. Topic wise it followed suit with previous exams and students were well prompted and guided in parts. Overall, a good start to the ordinary level maths exams and all eyes will be on the Paper 2 on Monday which I advise students to take a look at their Statistics, Trigonometry, Coordinate Geometry of the Line and Circle and Probability over the weekend as these are always the main players.' LC Foundation Level 'The Foundation Level paper was well rounded for students as it spanned all topics on the course; Arithmetic, Statistics, Probability, Financial Maths, Geometry, Patterns, Coordinate Geometry and Distance, Speed and Time "The questions were well balanced and well prompted to guide students through an exam busy with various topics. Advertisement "Students would have been pleased with a number of tables, graphs and charts to work with throughout, given their heavy feature within the course," he said. Junior Cert Maths (Higher) Stephen Begley said: 'This year's paper saw a balanced yet busy higher-level paper spanning all major topics on the course, though as usual, it wasn't without its challenges. "There was a good mix of topics assessed; arithmetic, pattens, statistics, coordinate geometry, geometry, area and volume, trigonometry, with the later questions were heavy with functions and algebra. "The opening three questions would have been a delight for students and certainly would've eased some nerves on basic percentages and patterns. Advertisement 'Some nice algebra questions on long division, simultaneous equations and a quadratic equation emerged throughout the tail end of the paper, and a familiar area and algebra cross over in Question 13 closed the exam. 'Notably absent from the paper were questions relating to Pythagoras' "Theorem, Number Systems and Indices. All eyes will be on the marking scheme to see how the updated grade descriptors will be awarded and that those mathematicians deserving of a top grade will be awarded such, given that a distinction grade has now been broadened to 85-100 perc cent, a higher merit from 70-85 per cent and a merit from 55-70 per cent.' Junior Cert Maths (Ordinary) Finally, Stephen Begley said: 'The Junior Cycle Ordinary Level Maths paper was a very accessible, well presented, and well represented exam. Students were put through the paces on their knowledge of the entire course with essentially all topics appearing; Arithmetic, Financial Maths, Statistics, Area and Volume, Sets, Algebra, Graphs (Distance, Speed & Time), Coordinate Geometry, and Trigonometry. "No topic overly dominated and questions were well presented with some pleasing visuals to aid contexts. Overall, students would have found this to be a fair Junior Cycle exam. Notably, Geometry and Functions were absent from the paper.'
